by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Political colleagues are mourning the unexpected death of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died Aug. 20 after suffering a brain aneurysm.

Ron Carson, an Aurora native and national advance aide for Hilary Clinton, said he knew her well.

Carson said the two of them got to know each other through the Clintons. While on the long campaign trail that took in many cities, they were brought together by a common ground.

"The homesickness that we felt seemed to instantly feel a bit better [when we'd see each other]," Carson said. "We felt a bit closer to Cleveland then."

Carson said the last time he saw Tubbs Jones alive was in Indianapolis on the eve of the Indiana primary.

Tubbs Jones bought Carson dinner at a restaurant inside the Hyatt Hotel. As they sat and talked for hours, they were joined by movie director Rob Reiner and Joe Klein, a writer for Time magazine.

Tubbs Jones picked up the tab for everyone's dinner and even those dinners of the people sitting near them, according to Carson.

"That was just the type of person she was; she was a giant and I miss her already," he said.

"She represented everything that I stand for -- respect, integrity, hard work and fighting for the least of us. She was a class act and I'm happy to have been her friend."

Carson called Tubbs Jones a mentor and trailblazer for his own career.

"SHE ALWAYS expressed to me the importance of public service and the importance of getting young people involved in the process," he said.

"I was inspired by her pulling herself up by her bootstraps and becoming a Congresswomen.

"Her father was a skycap at Cleveland Hopkins Airport and her mother was a factory worker, and she rose to the highest levels of Congress.

"She proved anything is possible. She will be missed and I hope I can someday, somehow, carry on her legacy by being a part of the political process and active in public service."

According to Cleveland Heights police, an officer saw the 58-year-old legislator swerving in her car traveling eastbound on Mayfield Road at about 9 p.m. Aug. 19.

The car turned left onto Lee Boulevard and came to a stop shortly after. An officer found her unconscious but breathing, and she was taken by ambulance to Huron Hospital in Cleveland and listed in critical condition.

According to press release from Tubbs Jones' 11th District office in Cleveland, she died the next day at 6:12 p.m. from the aneurysm.

It was not known at press time if she regained consciousness after the crash, or whether she suffered any crash-related injuries.

"She was like a Godmother to me," said Bedford Board of Education member Andrew Mizsak. "She was truly a friend and an advocate for the people. Her passing will create a large void."

"This is such a loss that I don't think we all realize the vast significance of it yet," said Bedford Heights Mayor Fletcher Berger.

OFFICIALS FROM the Cuya-hoga County Coroner's office said Aug. 21 they did not know if an autopsy would be performed.

According to her Cleveland office, Tubbs Jones had planned to travel to Denver Aug. 24 to attend the Democratic National Convention as a super delegate to help select the party's presidential candidate.

"I remember early on campaigning for her when she was running for common pleas judge," said Mizsak. "I had a Stephanie Tubbs Jones sticker on my stroller."

The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party said a decision has not yet been made on how they will fill Tubbs Jones' seat before the November election, and declined further comment.

Several state and federal officials sent out condolences on Tubbs Jones' death.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have called Stephanie my colleague, and I am proud to have called her my friend," Gov. Ted Strickland said.

"Our friendship deepened during the long primary season as we worked together for Sen. [Hillary] Clinton.

"Stephanie was a strong, courageous and compassionate advocate for the poor and vulnerable. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the people of Ohio's 11th Congressional District during this difficult time."

"I have not just lost a colleague; I have lost a real friend," said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. "Stephanie was that rare person who filled whatever room she entered, whether she was in our home for dinner or leading a crowd of thousands at the Cleveland Convention Center.

"I CANNOT imagine the House of Representatives without Stephanie Tubbs Jones."

U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-14), speaking to more than 100 people at a joint Twinsburg and Hudson chambers of commerce luncheon Aug. 21, said Tubbs Jones was a good friend and colleague he had known for more than 20 years, beginning with their time as prosecutors in neighboring Cuyahoga and Lake counties.

"It's a somber day for a member of Congress," LaTourette said. "Democrats are our opponents, but not our enemies.

"I read some of the nasty things [on blogs and the Web] ... when we permit that sort of debasing conversation, we're taking a step backwards."

The lawmaker recalled the times he would sit on the steps of the Capitol with Tubbs Jones after work, discussing their hopes, dreams and children.

"She [represented] her district with passion and integrity," LaTourette said. "She was a committed public servant."

Tubbs Jones was elected to District 11 in 1998 and was serving her fifth term in office. The district covers communities on the east side of Cleveland including Bedford, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights.

Prior to serving in Congress, she was a Cuyahoga County prosecutor as well as a Common Pleas judge.

Editor's note: Twinsburg Bulletin Editor Andrew Schunk and Advocate reporter Brent Hovey contributed to this story.

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166